Mushing

In this episode of The Dog Driver, Robert Forto and KP sit down with Mikki Douglas, one of the most dominant competitors in modern dryland mushing. Fresh off the IFSS World Championships, Mikki shares how she captured three gold medals and a bronze across multiple disciplines, including four-dog rig, bikejoring, scooter, and relay racing.
The conversation explores Mikki’s background in professional motocross and mountain biking, how speed sports shaped her racing mindset, and how she applies exercise physiology principles to dog training. Mikki also discusses building and racing a kennel of Eurohounds, preparing independently in the Pacific Northwest, hosting Iron Paws races, and navigating the realities of life disruptions, including fires, storms, and rebuilding.
This episode is a deep dive into elite performance, resilience, and what it takes to win at the highest level of dryland dog racing.
The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus
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Dryland mushing is one of the fastest-growing areas of dog-powered sports, especially in regions with limited winter snow. In this episode of The Dog Driver, we talk with an experienced dryland musher, Leendert Van Dorp, about how teams train, race, and compete at the IFSS Dryland World Championships in Minocqua, Wisconsin.
The conversation covers real-world dryland mushing equipment, including scooters, bikes, canicross, four-dog rigs, and six-dog rigs, as well as kennel size, dog selection, nutrition, and training schedules. We also discuss balancing work, family, and dogs, how dryland racing has expanded over the years, and why more mushers are shifting toward dryland competition.
This episode is a practical, experience-based look at life as a dog driver off snow.
The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus
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In this episode of The Dog Driver, Robert Forto and KP sit down with Michigan-based racer Samantha Wawiernia to talk about one of the most unique paths into dog-powered sports. Samantha began mushing to condition her bear and coon hounds for hunting, then transitioned those same dogs into competitive dryland racing.
The conversation explores running hunting hounds alongside sled dogs, building a family-centered kennel, training without reliable snow, and racing primarily in dryland formats across the Midwest. Samantha also shares her preparation and experience at the IFSS World Championships, including racing a young six-dog team to a championship win.
This episode highlights adaptability, family involvement, and how modern mushing continues to evolve beyond traditional sled dog models.
The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus
Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A here
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In this episode of The Dog Driver, Robert Forto and KP are joined by dryland racer Nova Clifford from New Hampshire. A third-generation musher, Nova shares how she grew up in sled dog racing and how the sport has evolved from large family kennels to modern dryland and mono-sport competition.
The conversation covers building a small competitive kennel, training four-dog rig teams, developing leaders, and racing in changing snow conditions across New England and Canada. Nova also discusses competing at the IFSS World Championships, traveling long distances with dogs, and balancing performance with long-term dog development.
This episode offers an honest look at the future of mushing through the eyes of a younger generation that values tradition, adaptability, and the bond with their dogs.
The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus
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In this episode of The Dog Driver, Robert Forto turns the tables and interviews longtime musher KP about his 40-plus years in sled dog racing. The conversation spans sprint, dryland, and open-class racing across Europe, the Lower 48, Canada, and Alaska.
KP shares his favorite and most challenging races, including the Eagle River Classic, Fur Rondy, and international events in Spain and Scandinavia. He talks about racing Siberians, transitioning to Eurohounds, building kennels in Europe and Alaska, and how the sport has changed financially, culturally, and structurally over the decades.
The episode also includes a candid discussion about lifestyle sacrifice, the true cost of mushing, and why this season may be KP’s final year of competitive racing. This is a reflective, honest look at mushing from someone who has lived it at every level.
The Mushing podcast is made possible by Mushing+ subscribers. Learn more about all the benefits of a subscription and subscribe now at mushing.com/mushingplus
Our fans would love to learn more about you. Fill out our Musher Q & A here
Do you have a story idea, or pitch a podcast? Check it out here
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